Credit: Lillian Iversen, National Cherry Blossom Festival

ANNOUNCING THE 2013 NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 – SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2013

About: Four anchoring weekends and daily programming throughout the metro-DC region. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Key dates include:

Wednesday, March 20 – Pink Tie Party fundraiser presented by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Escada Cherry in the Air (tickets $200/pp)

Saturday, March 23 – Official Opening Ceremony

Saturday & Sunday, March 23 & 24 – Family Days presented with the National Building Museum

Saturday, March 30 – Blossom Kite Festival

Friday, April 5 – Cherry Blast: Art + Music Dance Party

Saturday, April 6 – Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival produced with the Washington Waterfront Association and Hoffman-Madison Waterfront, presented by Safeway and The Washington Examiner

Saturday, April 13 – National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® ($20 grandstand tickets on sale now, standing room along the route, free)

Saturday, April 13 – Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival produced by The Japan-America Society of Washington DC (tickets $5, children 12 and under free)

Daily Programming

Experience City in Bloom presented by Capital One Bank, created to visually unite the region with lighting, vibrant Festival signage and blossom decals.

Pick up the free Petal Pass at neighborhood Capital One Bank branches, providing exclusive offers and savings at local attractions, restaurants, retailers, and more.

More than 40 participating organizations offer official events daily.

Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/eventsfor a full schedule.

Hotels: Find information about travel offers with Festival hotel partners Mandarin Oriental Washington, D.C., Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel, and Kimpton Hotels. The full list of participants Hotel Program with marketing partner Destination DC is online.

Visiting: Find information, refreshments, and Festival merchandise at the Tidal Basin Welcome Centers located in the Paddle Boat park lot and Jefferson Memorial, co-hosted by the Festival, National Park Service, and Guest Services, Inc. A free Festival app for iPhone and Android will be available in early 2013 to plan trips in advance or in real-time.

Note: The 2012 National Cherry Blossom Festival received 10 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival & Events Association, including a bronze Grand Pinnacle representing the best events and festivals throughout the world.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation’s greatest springtime celebration.  The 2013 Festival, March 20 – April 14, includes three spectacular weeks and four weekends of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit.  The 2013 Festival commemorates the 101st anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.